1874 Northwich vs Irlam

Recap

When it seemed certain that 1874 would secure all three points against their opponents on Tuesday, a late injury time goal meant that the points were shared.

The first real chance of the game fell to Stuart Wellstead after he broke through the Irlam back line only to see his shot palmed away by the keeper for a corner from which, Danny Thomas’s shot was well saved low down by the keeper.

The game was played at a quick pace with both sides eager to get forward with the next chance falling to Matt Russell who received a good pass from Tom Bailey before powering a half volley towards goal, only to see the keeper make another good save.

Minutes later, Stuart Wellstead had another opportunity following a good exchange of passes but his neat chip over the goalkeeper just landed on the wrong side of the post as the crowd were ready to acclaim the opening goal for 1874

Half Time: 0-0

The second half continued in the same frantic fashion as the first had ended. After Tom Bailey had held the ball up well and teed up Rick Bailey for a volley just inside the penalty area, the latter’s effort went wide but only by a whisker.

The breakthrough came in the 69th minute when a corner whipped in by Rick Bailey was eagerly met by Tom Bailey and his bullet header flew past the keeper into the net.

1874 were now were looking to see the game out and kept the ball well down in the opposition’s half.

Dougie Carroll was introduced to help keep possession further up the field and Stuart Wellstead very nearly “put the game to bed” when he curled a free kick inches wide of the post with the keeper well beaten.

But as the clock ticked on, in the the 95th minute, Irlam were awarded a freekick, which was pumped in to the area, and after an awkward bounce the defence failed to clear and Callum Jones could only poke the ball in to the back of his own net to give Irlam their equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game.